Community Supported Agriculture

Civic Works Real Food Farm and Little Gunpowder Farm are partnering up again to bring Baltimore residents a fresh, local community supported agriculture (CSA) program!

For the 2017 CSA season, we are running things a bit differently than before. We want CSA members to have more choice in what they feed their families each week and more flexibility to support local farms. Instead of getting a box of 5-7 pre-selected items, members will get to select the items they want from what we have available each week market style.

When a member registers with us, they’ll set up an online account. As members select their produce each week, the cost will be deducted from their account balance. If a member goes out of town, they don’t have to worry about losing money or finding someone to pick up their share. Members can reload their account whenever they would like. During the spring and fall, we suggest members use about $12 a week from their account and then in the peak summer months about $20 in order to feed a family of 3 plenty of fresh produce!

We have two membership types:

1. On-farm pick up at Real Food Farm: Members will have the flexibility to pick their items from stations with varying prices. This pick up has plenty of free parking, hands-on assistance from our farm team, and fun events like cooking demonstrations and outdoor activities. Produce will be presented market-style, and your account will be deducted based on what you choose.

2. Pre-order off-site pick up: Members still have the flexibility of choosing their produce by placing an online order through their accounts. Our team will fill each unique order and deliver it to one of our pick up locations (Charles Village, Roland Springs, and Little Gunpowder Farm in Monkton). Off-site members will incur a service and delivery fee in addition to their produce order, but all members will be invited to our on farm programs, events, and volunteer opportunities!

Share Sizes

Share sizes are completely customizeable. Choose whatever you’d like from our availability each week, and your account will be deducted accordingly. No worries about missing a week! The earlier you order each week, the more product you will have to choose from.

Customized off-farm pickup members MUST order by Tuesday at midnight each week. Shares will be delivered on Wednesdays.

On-farm pickup at Real Food Farm will be on Thursday from 3-7 PM.

Members also receive a weekly electronic newsletter with recipes and news about the farms every week.

Pricing

Members will be required to load their account with $275 in credit. You will be able to reload your account at any time.

EBT members are welcome! We offer a matching program that allows member to receive the suggested $12 spring/fall share for just $6 and the suggested $20 peak summer share for just $10. We do ask members to make a $50 refundable deposit to hold their account.

Pick Up

On Farm Pick-up at RFF: Thursdays from 3-7 PM. Produce will be market-style in the pavilion. Members are required to bring their own bag or box to transport their share home. An assistant will be available to assist in packing shares and keep track of account deductions.

Customized off-farm pickup: Each pickup location will have it’s own window of time during which pickup of CSA shares are allowed. Arrangements with host must be made if member can’t make it during that window. Pick-up locations include: Little Gunpowder Farm in Monkton, Charles Village, Roland Springs, downtown Baltimore City.

Additional Options

We are pleased to be able to offer multiple optional add-on options this year.

Little Gunpowder Farm Egg Share

Civic Works Little Gunpowder Farm keeps a flock of about 130 heritage-breed laying hens. They live on pasture with a mobile coop and electric fence for protection. Being raised on pasture allows them freedom to roam, forage for seeds and insects, and interact as a flock. Additionally, their manure adds fertility to our land as we move the flock around the farm.

Our egg share requires a buy-in of $60. You can order full or half dozens each week based on our availability.

Eggs will be delivered with your customized box to your regular pickup site.

Thread Coffee Share

We are partnering with Thread Coffee again this year to offer a share of locally roasted coffee beans in addition to our produce CSA shares. Each month members will receive a different roast of Thread Coffee, introducing you to a variety of flavors. Coffee is available in whole beans or ground and decaf is available upon request.There are two different share options:

12 oz monthly: $70 (6 bags at $10.66/week)

8 oz weekly: $165 (23 bags at $7.17/week)

Coffee shares will be available for pick-up at the same location you select for your produce share pick-up.

Baltimore Orchard Project Fruit Contribution

Over the past few years, Civic Works Baltimore Orchard Project has planted hundreds of fruit trees with community planting partners throughout Baltimore to help address some of Baltimore’s biggest issues – food deserts, vacant lots, the urban heat island effect, and storm water run-off to name a few. BOP will be contributing fruit to our regular CSA availability to share their hyper-local fruit with you all! Apples, pears, peaches, plums, and wine raspberries are likely to make an appearance. No need to sign up for this specifically, it will be made available to you through your regular produce selection process.

Hillen Homestead Flower Share

This urban flower farm is entering its fifth season growing sustainable cut flowers on two City-owned lots near Clifton Park. Get ten beautiful bouquets over the course of five months and enjoy the season’s bounty with fresh flowers on your table. Pre-made bouquets featuring a garden fresh look will include varieties such as snapdragons, dahlias, celosia, sunflowers, zinnias, scabiosa, lisianthus, fresh foliage, fragrant herbs, and much more.

Registration for this add-on is directly through Hillen Homestead. Available at Charles Village pick-up only.